From the stairs...
"THUMP...THUMP...THUMP"
Tiny claws. Purposeful paws. Vengeance.
Enter Neko Neko -
Wrapped in a ridiculous designer hoodie clearly tailored for pets. He stomps into the room like a mafia boss late to a meeting, dragging a tiny plush shark in his mouth.
He pauses. Drops it dramatically. Looks at Andrew. Blinks. Slowly. Andrew as confused as can be said quietly.
"Uhhh... Is that-?"
Tina beaming with excitement said excitedly.
"Yep, this is Neko Neko. Come say hi to your future brother-in-law."
"Wait, what the actual fuck is this fluffball?"
Neko Neko waddles over, climbs onto Tina's lap like a tiny royalty returning to his throne, and gives Andrew a long, judgmental stare.
"Would you like me to bring him his fruit bowl, Miss Tina?"
"Yes please,Elijah. But no bananas, he's mad at them this week."
"I have questions."
"Of course you do,and you'll get no answers from me,Andrew. Just vibes."
She said as she winked at Andrew who may have immediately cringed but liked it secretly. Neko Neko curls up on her lap, tail flicking dramatically. Andrew glares at the koala. Neko Neko glares back.
"I swear it's judging me."
Tina petted Neko Neko's fur as if it's the softest thing ever.
"Don't worry, Andrew. He's an excellent judge of character."
Neko Neko chews the corner of Tina's hoodie like it's fine silk revenge.
"Guess it definitely doesn't like me then. But are we seriously not gonna talk about the name of this thing?"
Tina tilted her head innocently.
"What's wrong with his name?"
"It's. It's name is Neko Neko as in cat-cat in Japanese."
"Mhmm?"
Andrew specifically gesturing to the clingy marsupial.
"But this is... a koala."
"Yup."
"So you named your koala cat-cat. In Japanese."
"Well... when I first got him I thought he was like... emotionally a cat. You know? Cute but mean. Judgey. Bites people."
"Oh. So emotionally a cat. But biologically a-"
"-Australian tree bear, yes."
Neko Neko made a low grumble.
"I mean... I just expected a tabby. Or a calico. Not a whole sentient eucalyptus gremlin in a Gucci hoodie."
Elijah placing the fruit bowl in front of the koala without blinking.
"He's partial to blueberries this week,miss Tina."
Neko Neko immediately picked out a blueberry and flung it at Andrew. It bounced off his chest. Andrew deadpan.
"I think it knows what I said."
Tina cheerfully said.
"Oh, maybe he does or he's just upset that you keep calling him it."
She scooped another spoon of ice cream into her mouth completely unbothered while Andrew just rolled his eyes lazily.
"Right so I'm guessing this- i mean he must be the little brother you were talking talking about?"
That caught her attention. She eagerly cupped his hands, her eyes shining as she replied which totally caught Andrew off guard.
"Yeah,he's the cutest and softest and the most slay brother you've ever seen,isn't he?"
"Not the exact words i would use."
He muttered under his breath but quickly replied her.
"Yeah,sure,I mean if you say so."
That made Tina's eyes sparkled like stars. Breakfast wraps up. The morning sunlight spilled into the mansion, catching on the polished floors and Tina's impeccably tailored outfit. Andrew stirred lazily in his chair, still half-asleep, but the moment his eyes landed on her, every ounce of fatigue evaporated. Tina was dressed in a sharp, Italian-style suit that hugged her frame perfectly-crisp white blouse tucked into tailored high-waisted trousers, a sleek black blazer with subtle gold accents that caught the light, and pointed heels that clicked like a warning through the hallway. She looked every bit like a mafia boss in miniature, radiating confidence and power, her hair tied back in a neat yet effortlessly stylish ponytail that framed her face just right. Andrew's jaw nearly dropped, but he quickly forced it back into a casual, sleepy expression.
"Mm... are you going to work now?"
He mumbled, scratching his face like he didn't notice, even as his gaze lingered. Tina totally oblivious or just honestly didn't notice,smiled brightly as she picked up her purse.
"Ready for work!"
She chirped, oblivious to the way Andrew's heart raced. Neko Neko, sitting on the couch with his little designer hoodie still slightly rumpled, let out an indignant squeak-tiny claws tapping the cushions. The koala's eyes were fixed on Tina, as if he were judging the audacity of leaving him behind.
"Hey! I'm going to work, Neko Neko! Be a good boy while I'm gone."
Tina said, crouching to pet him, her hand smoothing over his soft fur. But Neko Neko had other plans. With a little huff, he leaped off the couch, scurrying toward her feet and wrapping his tiny arms around her ankle. A muffled squeak escaped his mouth-clearly a protest. Andrew blinked, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Looks like someone doesn't want you to leave."
He commented, voice still lazily unbothered, though he secretly found the display endearing. Tina laughed, shaking her head.
"I guess he's still a little jealous of my work schedule. Don't worry, Elijah will keep him entertained."
Elijah, who had been standing silently by the doorway, hands folded neatly, didn't move. But inside,was void. He observed every interaction, calculating, noting Andrew's every gesture.
"~Hmm...~"
He thought coldly, hiding it behind his perfectly calm mask. Tina waved cheerfully at Andrew as she adjusted her purse.
"I'll be back before you know it!"
Andrew yawned exaggeratedly, stretching his arms.
"Mm, sure... go on then."
He said, voice dripping with feigned disinterest. His eyes, however, betrayed him, following her every movement as she moved towards the door. Neko Neko squeaked again, tugging at Tina's ankle one last time before she reached for the door. Elijah's gaze lingered a moment longer on Andrew, unreadable. Inside, the silent calculation continued but no one else knew the darkness of his thoughts yet. Andrew leaned back, feigning a lazy stretch, muttering to himself.
"Unbothered... totally unbothered..."
While his heart thumped a little too fast for someone pretending to be unbothered but something caught him off guard,Tina paused at the door, hand on the handle, glancing back at Andrew. Her brow furrowed slightly, lips pouting just a tiny bit.
"Wait... Andrew?"
She called softly.He barely stirred from the couch, one eye cracking open lazily.
"Mm... yeah?"
He mumbled, voice still heavy with sleep.
"You... didn't say goodbye."
She said, her tone a mix of disappointment and playful poutiness. Andrew yawned, stretching his arms dramatically, pretending to be unbothered.
"I don't usually get up at this time so I feel really sleepy so goodbye I guess."
Tina's cheeks flushed, a mix of frustration and amusement as Andrew headed toward the stairs going straight for their newly shared room.
"Goodbye i guess,is that all i get no goodbye kiss or something?"
She huffed,now glaring at Elijah crossing her arms. Neko Neko squeaked in agreement. It was as if even the koala thought he could do better. Poor Elijah just got caught up like a kid getting blamed for what his younger sibling did.
"I totally deserve like a goodbye hug or kiss or even just a loving goodbye,right?"
She said,her cheeks still puffed.
"Of course Miss Tina."
Elijah just answered with his usual calm voice. She stomped angrily before finally heading out the door. Inside the bedroom,Andrew exhaled, slumping back against the door, whispering to himself.
"Unbothered... yeah, totally unbothered..."
He kept trying to distract himself by how cute she was. Meanwhile.....
At Tina's office. Entered a mysterious Lady. She had soft, chestnut-brown hair that fell in loose waves just past her shoulders, catching the light in a warm, honeyed glow. Her eyes were a gentle hazel, always sparkling with mischief or curiosity, framed by long lashes that gave her a naturally fluttery look. Her features were delicate-a small, graceful nose and soft lips that curved easily into a teasing smile-but nothing so sharp or striking that she could outshine Tina's icy elegance, Andrew's rugged charm, or Elijah's composed allure. Her style was approachable: a fitted blazer over a casual blouse, paired with skinny trousers and simple heels. Professional, yet playful, giving off the aura of someone who belonged in the office but still had a personal, vibrant energy. She moved with a quiet confidence, aware of her own charm but not flaunting it. And there was Tina,Platinum white hair, sharp ice-blue eyes, delicate but defined features. Elegant yet playful style-tailored Italian suits that radiate CEO authority. Moves with confidence, exudes warmth and charm, utterly captivating. Oblivious at times, which makes her all the more endearing.Tina adjusted her cream Italian-style blazer, heels tapping lightly on the polished floor of the office. Papers stacked neatly on her desk, she barely noticed the girl in front of her, notebook in hand.
"Good morning, Miss Tina."
The girl chirped, practically bouncing on her toes. Tina looked up with her bright smile.
"There's no one here right now so you can stop being so formal."
Neko Neko's Mini-Theatre:
Perched on the edge of the couch, I fix my gaze on the tall human sprawled lazily on the chair. Who is this one? Smells like... new energy. Definitely not Tina. Definitely not approved.
Tiny claws knead the cushion in frustration. If I could speak, I'd demand an introduction with proper protocol: a sniff test, perhaps a ceremonial paw shake.
Then she leaves. HA! Finally, a moment of justice. The room smells like her-her scent lingers, warm, comforting, slightly sweet, and... irresistible. Why must she leave me behind? The audacity!
Tail flick. Ears twitch. I will stare until she returns. I will judge every step, every click of those ridiculous heels, every sway of that ponytail. I am the unbothered, the wise, the silent ruler of this mansion. And no one, human or otherwise, will escape my scrutiny.
Muffled squeak. A protest. A tiny leap onto the chair arm. Let it be known-I am not okay with this schedule. She goes to work, leaving me behind, and expects me to remain calm? The audacity is staggering. I am a fury in fur form, a fluffy whirlwind of judgment and love.
Author's note🤓🤓:
Ehhhhhhhhh?????😯😯
Author's note🤓🤓:
Sensing some positive energy from Andrew and Elijah🤔🤔